Chennai: AIADMK and BJP slammed former chief minister O Panneerselvam for joining DMK. While AIADMK deputy general secretary K P Munusamy called OPS as an `epitome of selfishness,’ another AIADMK leader C Ve Shanmugam described OPS as `shani’ and his induction into DMK was `good riddance.‘“OPS has joined a party described by our leaders as an `evil force.’ It is shameful,” Munusamy said. C Ve Shanmugam said the day was like Deepavali festival for AIADMK cadres, as the party has got rid of `Shani.’ “After the demise of Amma (Jayalalithaa), the party faced several challenges and witnessed a split. But it stood firm like an iron fortress under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami. Initially, he (OPS) resorted to Dharmayutham, but he changed colour like a chameleon. He conspired against the party and acted as per the directions of an external force — the DMK,” he said. Alleging that OPS was used as a tool by DMK to freeze the `Two leaves’ symbol, SHanmugam said OPS always acted against the interests of AIADMK. “He is a traitor who was more dangerous than 1,000 enemies,” Shamugam said.Expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala said OPS joining DMK was a `wrong decision.” She blamed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s attitude for OPS’ decision to join the DMK. OPS supporter Vellamandi Natarajan too flayed the former AIADMK leader for joining DMK. He called on EPS at his residence and rejoined AIADMK.Senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan criticised OPS and questioned how a person who claimed to be a loyalist of the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa could join the DMK that “harassed” her.
